Steven Matt Bryant (born May 29, 1975), nicknamed "Money Matt",[1] is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears, and was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the AFL's Iowa Barnstormers in 2000. A Pro Bowler with the Falcons in 2016, he has also been a member of the New York Giants, Frankfurt Galaxy, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida Tuskers, and is among the most-accurate kickers in NFL history.[2]

Matt Bryant
refer to caption
Bryant with the Atlanta Falcons in 2013
No. 8, 5, 1, 3
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1975-05-29) May 29, 1975 (age 49)
Orange, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Bridge City (Bridge City, Texas)
College:Baylor
Undrafted:1999
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:397
Field goals attempted:464
Field goal %:85.6
Longest field goal:62
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

edit

Bryant was born in Orange, Texas. He played football and baseball at Bridge City High School in Bridge City, Texas, and holds the record for the longest field goal.[3][4]

College career

edit

After graduating from high school, Bryant attended Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, where he was two-time NJCAA All-American and a member of the 1994 national championship team.[5] He then signed with Oregon State University and later transferred to Baylor University, where he played in the 1997 and 1998 seasons and ranks seventh in the all-time scoring list with 105 points (21 field goals and 42 extra points).[6][7] Bryant's 21 field goals place him fifth in Bears history. He set the school record with a 100 percent success rate when he made 42-of-42 extra points.[3] After graduating from Baylor, Bryant went undrafted and worked at a pawn shop, then as a personal trainer.[3] He was named to the 1990s Baylor All-Decade Team following his collegiate career.[8]

College statistics

edit
Season Team GP Kicking Pts
XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG%
1997 Baylor 11 23 23 100.0 9 14 64.3 50
1998 Baylor 11 19 19 100.0 12 15 80.0 55
Career 22 42 42 100.0 21 29 72.4 105

Professional career

edit
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
5 ft 8+12 in
(1.74 m)
192 lb
(87 kg)
Values from Pro Day[9]

Iowa Barnstormers

edit

After not being selected in the 1999 NFL draft, Bryant signed with Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League on November 17, 1999, after the 1999 season, but he was cut on April 4, 2000, before the regular season began.[10]

New York Giants

edit

On January 9, 2002, Bryant signed with the NFL's New York Giants, who allocated him to the NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder on March 15. On March 30, the Thunder placed Bryant on injured reserve, and the Thunder cut Bryant on May 10. The Giants then reassigned Bryant to the Frankfurt Galaxy. Bryant never played for either NFL Europe team due to a quadriceps injury.[11]

2002 season

edit

On September 5, he made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers. He converted two field goal attempts and one extra point attempt in the 16–13 loss.[12] In Week 3, against the Seattle Seahawks, Bryant was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. In the 9–6 victory, he was responsible for all of the Giants' points on three field goals.[13][14] In Week 11, against the Washington Redskins, Bryant earned another NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award by converting four field goals and an extra point in the 19–17 victory.[15][14] In Week 17, he had a 39-yard game-winning field goal in overtime of the 10–7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.[16] He converted 30-of-32 extra point attempts and 26-of-32 field goal attempts in his rookie season.[17] He made his playoff debut in the Giants' 39–38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round. In the game, he converted five extra points and one of two field goal attempts.[18]

2003 season

edit

In the 2003 season, Bryant appeared in the first four games before suffering a hamstring injury. During that stretch, he converted an overtime game-winning field goal against the Washington Redskins in Week 3.[19][20] He returned to the team in Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Overall, he appeared in 11 games and converted all 17 extra point attempts and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts.[21]

2004 season

edit

On July 30, 2004, Bryant was cut by new coach Tom Coughlin.[22][23]

Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins

edit

Bryant signed with the Dallas Cowboys on August 17, 2004, and was cut on September 5, 2004.[22] He later played one week with the Indianapolis Colts and then three weeks with the Miami Dolphins. On the season, he converted all 12 extra point attempts and three field goals on four attempts.[24]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

edit

2005 season

edit

Bryant was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2005 season.[25] In Week 16, against the Atlanta Falcons, he had a game-winning 41-yard field goal in overtime of the 27–24 victory.[26] In the 2005 season, he appeared in 14 games and converted all 31 extra point attempts and 21-of-25 field goal attempts.[27] Bryant and the Buccaneers made the playoffs where they were eliminated by the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card Round by a score of 17–10.[28]

2006 season

edit

On October 22, in Week 7, Bryant successfully converted a 62-yard field goal as time expired in Tampa Bay's 23–21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.[29][30] In addition to the 62-yarder, he converted two other field goals and two extra points and earned his third career NFC Special Teams Player of the Week nomination. The game-winning field goal was the second longest in NFL history at the time, behind the 63-yard field goals kicked by Tom Dempsey in 1970 and Jason Elam in 1998.[31] On October 23, in response to his 62-yard field goal, Mayor Pam Iorio declared October 23 to be "Matt Bryant Day" in Tampa, Florida.[32] In the 2006 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Buccaneers' 4–12 season. On the season, he converted 22-of-23 extra point attempts and 17-of-22 field goal attempts.[33]

2007 season

edit

In the 2007 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Buccaneers' 9–7 season and one playoff game.[34] In Week 6, against the Tennessee Titans, he converted a game-winning 43-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the 13–10 victory.[35] On the season, he converted all 34 extra point attempts and 28-of-33 field goal attempts.[36] In the Wild Card Round against the New York Giants, Bryant converted both extra point attempts in the 24–14 loss.[37]

2008 season

edit

In the 2008 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Buccaneers' 9–7 season.[38] In Week 3, against the Chicago Bears, he had a game-winning 21-yard field goal in overtime of the 27–24 victory.[39] In Week 4, against the Green Bay Packers, Bryant earned his fourth career NFC Special Teams Player of the Week nomination. In the 30–21 victory, he converted three field goal attempts and three extra point attempts.[40][14] On the season, he converted 35-of-36 extra point attempts and 32-of-38 field goal attempts.[41] For the first time in his NFL career, he finished in the top five players in total scoring, landing in fourth place with 131 points.[42]

On September 5, 2009, the Buccaneers released Bryant and replaced him with Mike Nugent.[43]

Florida Tuskers

edit

Prior to the start of the 2009 season, the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League signed Bryant to a contract.[44]

Atlanta Falcons

edit
 
Bryant in 2010 (right)

2009 season

edit

Bryant was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on December 1, 2009, to replace veteran Jason Elam.[45] He appeared in five games of the Falcons' 9–7 season.[46] In Week 14, against the New Orleans Saints, he had his best scoring performance of the season. In the 26–23 loss, he converted all three field goal attempts and both extra point attempts.[47] On the season, he converted all 10 extra point attempts and 7-of-10 field goal attempts.[48]

2010 season

edit

In the 2010 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 13–3 season and one playoff game.[49] In Week 4, against the San Francisco 49ers, Bryant earned his fifth career NFC Special Teams Player of the Week nomination. In the 16–14 victory, he converted three field goal attempts and one extra point attempt. The last of the three field goals was a go-ahead 43-yard attempt that left only two seconds remaining.[50][14] In Week 12, against the Green Bay Packers, Bryant converted a go-ahead 47-yard field goal with only nine seconds remaining in the 20–17 victory.[51] On the season, he converted all 44 extra point attempts and 28-of-31 field goal attempts.[52] For the second time in his career, he finished in the top five players in scoring with 128 points scored.[53] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Bryant converted all three extra points in the 48–21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.[54]

2011 season

edit

In the 2011 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 10–6 season.[55] In Week 4, against the Seattle Seahawks, he had his best scoring performance of the season. He converted all three field goal attempts and all three extra point attempts in the 30–28 victory.[56] On the season, he converted all 45 extra point attempts and 27-of-29 field goal attempts.[57]

2012 season

edit

In the 2012 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 13–3 season and two playoff games. In the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, he converted all four field goal attempts and all four extra point attempts in the 40–24 victory.[58] In Week 4, against the Carolina Panthers, he converted a game-winning 40-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to win 30–28.[59] In Week 6, against the Oakland Raiders, he converted a game-winning 55-yard field goal with one second remaining to help the Falcons win 23–20.[60] On the season, he converted all 44 extra point attempts and 33-of-38 field goal attempts.[61] He finished a then career-best third in the league in scoring with 143 points scored.[62] In the Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks, Bryant kicked a game-winning 49-yard field goal to send the Falcons to the NFC Championship Game with a 30–28 victory.[63][64][65] In the NFC Championship, he converted three extra point attempts and one field goal attempt as the Falcons fell 28–24 to the San Francisco 49ers.[66]

2013 season

edit

In the 2013 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 4–12 season.[67] One highlight in the season for Bryant was in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. He converted a 36-yard game winning field goal in overtime of the 34–31 victory.[68] On the season, he converted all 39 extra point attempts and 24-of-27 field goal attempts.[69]

2014 season

edit

In the 2014 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 6–10 season.[70]

On September 7, 2014, in the season opener, Bryant became the fourth player in NFL history to kick a 50+yard field goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation to force overtime in addition to converting a 50+ game-winning field goal in a 37–34 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome.[71][72] In recognition of his performance, he was named as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the sixth time in his career.[14][73] On September 18, in a 56–14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, he converted a career-high eight extra points on eight attempts in Week 3.[74] On November 9, in the other divisional game against the Buccaneers in Week 10, Bryant was four-for-four on field goals.[75] He also made two extra points which pushed him over the 600 point mark (601), making him the second player in Atlanta Falcon history to reach 600 points.[72] On November 16, in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, Bryant was four-of-four on field goals again. This marked the tenth time in his career that he made four field goals in a single game.[76] On November 30, against the Arizona Cardinals, Bryant connected on a career-high five field goals on five attempts in Week 13. Along with two extra points in the game, he had a career-high 17 points scored.[77]

On the season, he converted all 40 extra point attempts and 29-of-32 field goal attempts.[78] In recognition of his successful 2014 season, Bryant was named to Pro Football Focus's First-team.[79]

2015 season

edit

In the offseason, the Falcons signed Bryant to a three-year contract extension.[80]

In the 2015 season, Bryant appeared in 10 games of the Falcons' 8–8 season.[81]

On September 14, 2015, Bryant kicked a game-winning 47-yard field goal in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. He was responsible for 14 total points scored in the 26–24 win.[82][83]

On October 11, 2015, in Week 5, Bryant only connected on two of his four field goal attempts against the Washington Redskins. His streak of 28 straight made field goals was the second-longest in team history behind his stretch of 30 consecutive field goals between 2010 and 2011.[72] In addition, his streak of consecutive field goals made inside 50 yards ended at 46 straight.[84]

On October 15, 2015, in Week 6, Bryant connected on all three of his extra point attempts against the New Orleans Saints, becoming the second player in franchise history to eclipse 700-career points joining kicker Morten Andersen (806).[72]

On December 11, 2015, Bryant was placed on injured reserve with a quad injury.[85][86] The Falcons signed Shayne Graham to finish up the season in place of Bryant.[87]

On the season, he appeared in ten games and converted all 26 extra point attempts and 14-of-18 field goal attempts.[88]

2016 season

edit

In the 2016 season, Bryant appeared in all 16 games of the Falcons' 11–5 season and all three playoff games.[89]

In Week 8, against the Green Bay Packers, he converted three extra point attempts and two field goal attempts in the 33–32 victory. In the game, he passed Morten Andersen for the franchise record for career points scored with his 807th point scored.[90][91]

Bryant was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October after converting 11-of-12 field goals and all 17 extra points.[92]

In Week 16, in the 33–16 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve, he converted four of five field goal attempts and three extra point attempts.[93] For the seventh time in his NFL career, he was named as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[14][94]

On the season, he converted 56-of-57 extra point attempts and 34-of-37 field goal attempts.[95] In all, he was responsible for a career-high and league-high 158 points scored for the Falcons in 2016. It was the first time in Bryant's career that he won the scoring title.[96][97]

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, he converted all four extra point attempts and both field goal attempts in the 36–20 victory.[98]

In the NFC Championship, in the final NFL game at the Georgia Dome, he converted five of six extra point attempts and one field goal attempt in the 44–21 victory over the Green Bay Packers.[99]

Bryant appeared in his first career Super Bowl in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots. He became the third-oldest player in NFL history to appear in a Super Bowl, behind Matt Stover and Jeff Feagles.[100] Late in the fourth quarter of the game, the Patriots trailed 28–20 and the Falcons had the ball on the New England 23-yard line. Well-within Bryant's field goal range, quarterback Matt Ryan took a 12-yard sack, and they lost 10 more yards on the next play due to a holding penalty from offensive lineman Jake Matthews. The drawbacks forced the Falcons to punt and prevented Bryant from potentially putting the Falcons up two possessions late in the fourth quarter.[101] The Falcons went on to lose 34–28 in overtime. Bryant converted all four of his extra point attempts in the Super Bowl.[102]

In recognition of his successful season, Bryant earned a Pro Bowl nomination for the first time in his career and Pro Football Focus named him to their Second-team.[103][104]

2017 season

edit

In Week 2, in the 34–23 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Bryant recorded a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter for the first field goal in the history of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In the game, he converted all four extra point attempts and both field goal attempts.[105] In the same game, Bryant became the first player in franchise history to convert 200 field goals.[106] In Week 14, in the 20–17 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Bryant scored his 1,000th career point, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach the mark.[45] In Week 17, Bryant went 5-for-5 on field goals, including a 56-yarder, in a 22–10 win over the Carolina Panthers, clinching a playoff spot for the Falcons, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[107] In the 2017 season, Bryant converted all 35 extra point attempts and 34 of 39 field goal attempts.[108]

In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Bryant converted all four field goal attempts and both extra point attempts in the 26–13 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.[109]

2018 season

edit

On March 5, 2018, Bryant signed a three-year contract extension with the Falcons through the 2020 season.[110] In the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football, Bryant missed his first extra point attempt on the season but converted two field goals in the 18–12 loss.[111] In the next five games, he converted all 16 extra point attempts and all seven field goal attempts.[112] In the Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he suffered a hamstring injury after converting a 57-yard field goal to help seal the game.[113] He was forced to sit out the next week's game against the New York Giants.[114] He finished the 2018 season converting 33 of 35 extra point attempts and 20 of 21 field goal attempts.[115]

On February 6, 2019, Bryant was released by the Falcons after ten seasons.[116][117]

2019 season

edit

On August 31, 2019, Bryant re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year, $3 million deal following preseason struggles by Giorgio Tavecchio and Blair Walsh.[118] However, he struggled with being consistent during the first eight weeks of the season. After missing two field goals in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Falcons cut Bryant on October 29, 2019, and signed Younghoe Koo to replace him.[119] He finished the 2019 season converting 14 of 15 extra point attempts and nine of 14 field goal attempts.[120]

Records

edit

Atlanta Falcons franchise records

edit
  • Most points scored, career: 1,168[121]
  • Most points scored, single season: 158[122]
  • Most extra points made and attempted, career: 56 and 57[123]
  • Most extra points made and attempted, single season: 386 and 390[124]
  • Most field goals made and attempted, career: 259 and 296[124]

NFL career statistics

edit
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Points
FGA FGM Lng Pct XPA XPM Pct
2002 NYG 16 32 26 47 81.3 32 30 93.8 108
2003 NYG 11 14 11 47 78.6 17 17 100.0 50
2004 IND 1 1 0.0 5 5 100.0 5
MIA 3 3 3 47 100.0 7 7 100.0 16
2005 TB 15 25 21 50 84.0 31 31 100.0 94
2006 TB 16 22 17 62 77.3 23 22 95.7 73
2007 TB 16 33 28 49 84.8 34 34 100.0 118
2008 TB 16 38 32 49 84.2 36 35 97.2 131
2009 ATL 5 10 7 51 70.0 10 10 100.0 31
2010 ATL 16 31 28 51 90.3 44 44 100.0 128
2011 ATL 16 29 27 51 93.1 45 45 100.0 126
2012 ATL 16 38 33 55 86.8 44 44 100.0 143
2013 ATL 16 27 24 53 88.9 39 39 100.0 111
2014 ATL 16 32 29 54 90.6 40 40 100.0 127
2015 ATL 10 18 14 47 77.8 26 26 100.0 68
2016 ATL 16 37 34 59 91.9 57 56 98.2 158
2017 ATL 16 39 34 57 87.1 35 35 100.0 137
2018 ATL 13 21 20 57 95.2 35 33 94.3 93
2019 ATL 7 14 9 52 64.3 15 14 93.3 41
Total 241 464 397 62 85.6 575 567 98.6 1,758

Personal life

edit

Bryant participated in 2002 United Way Hometown Huddle by conducting a football clinic at the Highbridge Center for members of Alianza Dominicana, a local United Way agency that services families in Washington Heights. He visited the Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point to participate in the Foundation for Hospital Art's Paintfest 2003.

Bryant drinks a chocolate milkshake on the night before each of his football games. He also is known for squeezing his size 10.5 foot into a size 9 kicking shoe for games, believing that curling his foot to strike the ball in the same way that someone makes a fist with his hand before punching increases his distance and accuracy.[125]

Matt is married to Melissa. The couple has seven children and they reside in Orange Beach, Alabama.[126] On September 24, 2008, their youngest son Tryson died in his sleep, age three months, apparently from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Despite that tragedy, a day after his son's funeral, he returned to play and kicked three field goals for the team to beat the Green Bay Packers, having kicked the game-winning field goal the week before against Chicago Bears in overtime. After the season, Matt and Melissa established the Matthew Tryson Bryant Foundation to raise awareness for SIDS. Proceeds go to the March of Dimes.[3][127]

In 2009, Bryant was inducted into the Museum of the Gulf Coast, in the museum's Sports Hall of Fame.[128]

In the 2015 offseason, Bryant gave some time to families from TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), a national non-profit that provides care for families that have lost loved ones that served in the armed forces. He gave them a tour of downtown Atlanta and hosted them to dinner.[129]

References

edit
  1. ^ Mather, Victor (September 9, 2019). "Some N.F.L. Kickers Are Off to a Wobbly Start". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019. Bryant, 44, had been with Falcons for 10 years, earning the nickname Money Matt, but was released in February.
  2. ^ "NFL Field Goal % Career Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Asher, Matthew (October 9, 2012). "The Road Less Traveled: Falcons Kicker Matt Bryant Has Seen It All". CBS Atlanta. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  4. ^ Zwerneman, Brent (February 4, 2017). "Falcons kicker Matt Bryant's road to the Super Bowl started in East Texas 20 years ago". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "SUPER CARD: Matt Bryant ready for big stage". Trinity Valley CC. January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  6. ^ Winkeljohn, Matt (January 29, 2017). "Matt Bryant is ready for his close-up". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Matt Bryant College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "2021 Baylor Football Media Guide" (PDF). Baylor Bears Athletics. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "1999 NFL Draft Scout Matt Bryant College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Young, Aaron (February 2, 2017). "Did you know: Atlanta's Matt Bryant was cut by the Iowa Barnstormers". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "Matt Bryant". New York Giants. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004.
  12. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants – September 5th, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  13. ^ "Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants – September 22nd, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "NFL Players of the Week". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  15. ^ "Washington Redskins at New York Giants – November 17th, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  16. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – December 28th, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  17. ^ "Matt Bryant 2002 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  18. ^ "Wild Card – New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – January 5th, 2003". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  19. ^ "New York Giants at Washington Redskins – September 21st, 2003". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  20. ^ Best, Neil (October 6, 2003). "Kicker Bryant Out 3–4 Weeks; Tryouts to Begin". Newsday. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  21. ^ "Matt Bryant 2003 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  22. ^ a b "Matt Bryant". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  23. ^ Gola, Hank (January 6, 2012). "Giants Atlanta Falcons Matt Bryant is still kicking after NY Giants signed the former Texas pawn shop worker in 2002". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  24. ^ "Matt Bryant 2004 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  25. ^ Reynolds, Scott (September 9, 2005). "Tampa Bay Heads Into 2005". Pewter Report. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  26. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 24th, 2005". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Matt Bryant 2005 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  28. ^ "Wild Card – Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 7th, 2006". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  29. ^ Scanlon, Dick (October 23, 2006). "Bryant's 62-Yard Field Goal Gives Improbable Victory". The Ledger. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  30. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 22nd, 2006". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  31. ^ "Long field goals". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 21, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  32. ^ "City of Tampa – Proclamation" (PDF). Tampa Gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  33. ^ "Matt Bryant 2006 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  34. ^ "2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  35. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 14th, 2007". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "Matt Bryant 2007 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  37. ^ "Wild Card – New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 6th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  38. ^ "2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  39. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – September 21st, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  40. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – September 28th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  41. ^ "Matt Bryant 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  42. ^ "2008 NFL Scoring Summary". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  43. ^ Goodall, Fred (September 5, 2009). "Kicker Matt Bryant waived by Buccaneers". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  44. ^ Asher, Matthew (October 9, 2012). "The Road Less Traveled: Falcons Kicker Matt Bryant Has Seen It All". CBS Atlanta. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  45. ^ a b Makrides, Alex (December 8, 2017). "Matt Bryant's 1,000-point seals Falcons victory over Saints". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  46. ^ "2009 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  47. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – December 13th, 2009". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  48. ^ "Matt Bryant 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  49. ^ "2010 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  50. ^ "San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – October 3rd, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  51. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – November 28th, 2010". Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  52. ^ "Matt Bryant 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  53. ^ "2010 NFL Scoring Summary". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  54. ^ "Divisional Round – Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – January 15th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  55. ^ "2011 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  56. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks – October 2nd, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  57. ^ "Matt Bryant 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  58. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs – September 9th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  59. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – September 30th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  60. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Atlanta Falcons – October 14th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  61. ^ "Matt Bryant 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  62. ^ "2012 NFL Scoring Summary". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  63. ^ Newberry, Paul (January 13, 2013). "Bryant's late FG lifts Falcons over Seattle 30–28". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  64. ^ Vachhiano, Ralph (January 14, 2013). "Falcons kick late field goal to survive Seahawks". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  65. ^ "Divisional Round – Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons – January 13th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  66. ^ "NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – January 20th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  67. ^ "2013 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  68. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills – December 1st, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  69. ^ "Matt Bryant 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  70. ^ "2014 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  71. ^ "Matt Ryan sets team record with 448 yards in Falcons' OT win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 7, 2014. Archived from the original on July 22, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  72. ^ a b c d "Matt Bryant 2015 Bio Update" (PDF). Atlanta Falcons. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  73. ^ Adams, Jay (September 10, 2014). "Ryan, Bryant Earn NFC Player of Week Honors". Atlanta Falcons. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  74. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – September 18th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  75. ^ "Falcons snap 5-game skid with 27–17 win over Bucs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 9, 2014. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  76. ^ "Falcons hold off Panthers to gain share of NFC South lead at 4–6". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 16, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  77. ^ "Julio Jones helps Falcons stay tied atop NFC South in win over Cards". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  78. ^ "Matt Bryant 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  79. ^ "Bryant's 2014 Kicks Recognized By PFF.com". Atlanta Falcons. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  80. ^ Wilkening, Mike (February 25, 2015). "Falcons sign PK Matt Bryant to new contract". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  81. ^ "2015 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  82. ^ "Julio Jones' 2 TDs, Sam Bradford's interceptions help Falcons prevail". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  83. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – September 14th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  84. ^ "Titans kicker extends record to 51 straight kicks inside 50". AP News. October 17, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  85. ^ Conway, Kelsey (November 26, 2015). "Bryant Out with Right Quad Injury". Atlanta Falcons. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  86. ^ Alper, Josh (December 11, 2015). "Falcons place Matt Bryant on injured reserve". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  87. ^ Alper, Josh (November 27, 2015). "Falcons sign Shayne Graham with Matt Bryant hurting". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  88. ^ "Matt Bryant 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  89. ^ "2016 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  90. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – October 30th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  91. ^ Rollins, Khadrice (October 30, 2016). "Matt Bryant becomes Falcons' career scoring leader". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  92. ^ Ortega, Mark E. (November 3, 2016). "Tom Brady, David Johnson are Players of the Month". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  93. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – December 24th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  94. ^ Weaver, Tim (December 28, 2016). "Matt Bryant named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  95. ^ "Matt Bryant 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  96. ^ Scott, Brandon (January 3, 2017). "Falcons kicker Matt Bryant wins NFL scoring title". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  97. ^ "2016 NFL Scoring Summary". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  98. ^ "Divisional Round – Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons – January 14th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  99. ^ "NFC Championship – Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – January 22nd, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  100. ^ O'Halloran, Ryan (February 5, 2017). "Super Bowl Notebook: Big week follows big game for Kyle Shanahan". Jacksonville.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  101. ^ Waldron, Travis (February 6, 2017). "The Falcons Lost The Super Bowl Thanks To One Really Bad, Inexcusable Drive". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  102. ^ "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  103. ^ Odum, Charles (December 22, 2016). "Falcons' Matt Bryant, 41, relishes first Pro Bowl selection". Pro32: Head to Head. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  104. ^ Weaver, Tim (January 5, 2017). "4 Falcons players named to Pro Football Focus All-Pro team". Falcons Wire. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  105. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  106. ^ Makrides, Alex (September 17, 2017). "Matt Bryant becomes first Falcon to make 200 field goals". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  107. ^ "Rivers, Byard, Godwin among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. January 3, 2018. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  108. ^ "Matt Bryant 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  109. ^ "Wild Card – Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams – January 6th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  110. ^ "Matt Bryant, Falcons agree on three-year extension". NFL.com. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  111. ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles – September 6th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  112. ^ "Matt Bryant 2018 Game Log (Games 2–6)". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  113. ^ Parks, James (October 14, 2018). "Matt Bryant nails 57 yard FG, then gets injured". 247 Sports. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  114. ^ McFadden, Will (October 15, 2018). "Falcons injury update: Dan Quinn indicates Matt Bryant, Devonta Freeman unlikely to play vs. Giants". www.atlantafalcons.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  115. ^ "Matt Bryant 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  116. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 6, 2019). "Falcons part ways with veteran kicker Matt Bryant". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  117. ^ Tabeek, Matthew (February 6, 2019). "Longtime Falcons kicker Matt Bryant will not return for 2019 season". NFL.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  118. ^ Tabeek, Matthew (August 31, 2019). "Kicker Matt Bryant is back with the Falcons". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  119. ^ Conway, Kelsey (October 29, 2019). "Falcons cut longtime kicker Matt Bryant". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  120. ^ "Matt Bryant 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  121. ^ "Atlanta Falcons Career Scoring Summary Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  122. ^ "Atlanta Falcons Single-Season Scoring Summary Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  123. ^ "Atlanta Falcons Single-Season Kicking & Punting Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  124. ^ a b "Atlanta Falcons Career Kicking & Punting Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  125. ^ Kleha, Frank (November 22, 2013). "Behind the Facemask: Matt Bryant". Atlanta Falcons. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  126. ^ Stroud, Rick (September 25, 2008). "Son of Bucs kicker Bryant dies". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  127. ^ Yasinskas, Pat (June 11, 2009). "Bryants to kick off drive to help infants". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  128. ^ Dunn, Mark (February 22, 2009). "Bryant joins SETX Sports Hall of Fame". The Record Live. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  129. ^ Hirsh, Andrew (July 30, 2015). "Bryant Treats Military Familes[sic] to Night in Atlanta". Atlanta Falcons. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
edit